Impacts

Wildlife and natural habitat

Camels pose a direct threat to areas of ecological significance, many of which are managed by the department.

Mobs of camels can quickly completely strip an area of vegetation by trampling and grazing.

They can drain or foul water points, affecting local wildlife that rely on these scarce desert water sources.

Damage to Aboriginal communities, cultural sites and rock holes

Camels can cause tremendous damage to Aboriginal ceremonial art and other cultural sites associated with rock holes by trampling and rolling.

Camels can overrun Aboriginal communities in their attempt to get to taps, wells and the water in air-conditioners.

Damage to pastoral infrastructure

Camels regularly move from undisturbed desert areas to pastoral leases during periods of drought in search of more permanent water, although they generally return to desert once conditions are favourable.

Camels can cause damage to stock fences for several hundred metres. They can also damage infrastructure at cattle watering points.

Potential hazard to remote motorists

Camels can pose a hazard on outback roads, which they use as paths to travel along.